Novak Djokovic shockingly not willing to prioritize ATP World Tour Finals qualification this year
Novak Djokovic is set to reshape his tennis schedule for the rest of his career after the Paris Olympics win.
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Novak Djokovic (via X)
24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has stunned the world by announcing that he won’t be chasing ATP World Tour Finals qualification this year. The Serbian is the two-time defending champion of the event, having beaten Jannik Sinner in the final last year.
After his Davis Cup match win, Djokovic was surrounded by the Serbian media and asked about his objectives for the rest of the season. However, the recently crowned Olympic Gold medalist has not included the ATP World Tour Finals in his objectives for 2024.
I am not chasing rankings, I am not chasing ATP Finals in Turin, at all cost. As far as I am concerned, I am done with that tournament. My goals are Grand Slams and playing for Serbia.Novak Djokovic said in his post-match press conference
Djokovic is currently outside the qualification spots for the ATP World Tour Finals. If he doesn’t qualify, he will become the first male player since Alexander Zverev in 2022 to miss the event as the defending champion.
After his Davis Cup duty, Djokovic will be playing an exhibition in Sofia before returning to Shanghai for the first time in five years. The 37-year-old is a four-time champion at the event.
Novak Djokovic recalls beating Rafael Nadal at the Paris Olympics
Novak Djokovic recently reflected on his victory at the Paris Olympics during an interview with Serbian broadcaster RTS. He specifically recalled his highly anticipated second-round match against Rafael Nadal.
The Olympics were my main goal. I was very worried after the knee injury at Roland-Garros, but when I managed to play the finals at Wimbledon, I was relieved since I knew I would be ready for the Olympics. Ahead of the finals in Paris, I haven’t lost a set, I’ve beaten Nadal at his home – although he was not at his best, but still, beating him in Paris is something huge.Novak Djokovic speaking to Serbian broadcaster RTS
In one of the most talked-about early-round matches, Djokovic defeated Nadal, the 2008 Olympic Gold medalist, with a 6-1, 6-4 win. Although the Spaniard mounted a strong comeback in the second set, closing the gap from 4-0 to 4-4, Djokovic held his ground and won the final two games to seal the match.
Before their Olympic clash, Djokovic and Nadal had faced each other 59 times, with Djokovic leading 30-29. Nadal’s dominance on clay and his 14 titles at Roland Garros added to the tension. The left-hander also had two Olympic Gold medals, putting extra pressure on Djokovic.
Despite Nadal reaching an ATP final at Bastad before the Olympics, Djokovic was in top form. He used his win over the 22-time Grand Slam champion as momentum, eventually winning the Olympic singles gold without dropping a set, including a dominant victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
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Fahad Hamid
(647 Articles Published)